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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 26, 1978)
/ Page 2 Portland Observer Thursday. Octobar 26, 1978 Denegregotion: Lawsuit vs Political Pressure We see the world through Black eyes Is Jordan next? W e have watched and wondered when it would happen, for we knew it would. And scan ning the Portland dailies over the past few weeks we knew the day was nearl The stage has been carefully set. A review of the Portland dailies shows an unusual attention to Black people — usually an element in the community that is strangely ab sent. W e've seen Black vice and prostitutes discussed — the community accused of non- cooperation with the police. The alleged problems a minister who takes in alcoholics, addicts and the ill and infirm who have no where else to go were given a page and a half coverage — an unusual amount of space to devote to any Black person. Of course nationally there was the trial and conviction of Congressman Diggs — one of the nation's most influential Black men, and the in vestigation of the nation's only Black U .S . Senator — only another chapter in the persecution of all Black officials, including Barbara Jordan, Representative Ford, Merv Dymally, Andy Young, Jack Tanner, etc, etc, etc. In Gary, Indiana, a Black public official has filed in federal court to attempt to prove conspiracy on the part of the white press and the government in his indictment. Last week the vultures got their wish as after years of persecution and harassment Cleveland Gilcrease was indicted — not for misuse of funds as was smeared over the front pages for years — but all else failing, for mail fraud. Hundreds of thousands of dollars have been spent to bring this man to court. Why? Because he is a Black man who used his office to bring about opportunities for the oppressed and who stood up like a man and refused to bow and scrape. And who cares if Mr. Gilcrease is found to be innocent? His name has already been smeared to the point where one of Oregon's highest elected officials could refer to Gilcrease with "his hand in the bucket," only to admit that he did not believe Gilcrease had stolen any money. If a responsible, public official automatically thinks of Gilcrease when he talks about misuse of federal funds — what chance does this man have in the eyes of the general public? And will "they” be satisfied when he is behind bars — on one charge or another? And then we come to today. Yes — the day has arrived. In its Wednesday issue an Oregonian editorial discusses the recent errors made by Commissioner Charles Jordan's office and by employees of the Metropolitan Human Relations Commission. Jordan's staff had mailed an endorse ment of Governor Straub on city stationary while Jordan was out of town. The MHRC staff had included a "news article" in their newsletter about Barnett seeking public office. Says the Oregonian, "Obviously supervision of city employees needs tightening in Commissioner Jordan's administration. He oversees the Human Relations Commission and Barnett. "The public not only deserves to have its funds spent for legitimate public needs, but also de serves to have effective and full-time accounting by its elected and appointed administrators." W e predict that this is only the beginning. Commissioner Jordan served quietly during his first term of office. Only recently has he become more visible — flexing his muscles a bit. And there has even been talk of running for Mayorl So watch your daily papers You will soon see the innuendos and then the allegations. W e can only hope th at Portland's Black citizens will not sit idly by as they did when Gilcrease was accused, but will finally stand up and say "enough." Arrogance exposed The C om m unity Coalition fo r School In tegration has asked the Portland School Board for an estimated time-line for consideration by the Board of the Coalition's recommendations. Many citizens would like to know whether the Board will deal with the recommendations ex peditiously, whether there will be a stall until after the April 1979 Board elections, or whether the recommendations will just be shelved. In light of the general attitudes of the Board toward the public, these are valid concerns. The Board responded to the Coalition by refusing to even discuss a possible time-line until after the final report is made. M r. Neuman also brought up the opinion that some of the data might be incorrect — although the data was provided by the school district. This foretells an extended hassle over the facts, interpretations, motives, philosophy and any other factors that can bring about delay. Many people never had any faith that the Portland School Board would respond positively to a citizen group. The Board's action Monday night did nothing to change their minds. It appears that, rather than use this opportunity to genuinely contemplate its failures and its suc cesses and with the assistance of others move on to an equitable desegregation system, the Port land School Board will entangle itself in years of litigation, accusation, hostility and perhaps violence. When the people find they have no recourse — no way to influence public decisions — they find themselves in a position of opposition. When constructive efforts are spurned, destruction becomes the only alternative. It is unfortunate that, for the sake of ego, the Portland School Board would put the people of Portland in this position. W e hope we are wrong — but we haven't seen many signs of change. PORTLAND OBSERVER la ti Community Service ONPA 1*73 lat Placa Beat Ad Resulta ONPA 1*73 Published every Thursday by Exie Publishing Com pany, 2201 North Killingsworth, Portland, Oregon 97217 Mailing address: P .O . Box 3137, Portland, Oregon 97208 Telephone 283 2486 Subscriptions: $7.50 per year in the Tri-C ounty area. $8.00 per year outside Portland. ÉL k i t t e ALFRED L. HENDERSON Edltor/Publlsher Second Claaa Poatao* Paid at Portland. Orapon Honorable Mention Herrick Editorial Award NNA 1*73 The Portland Observer’s official position is expressed only in its Publisher's column (W e See The W orld Through Black Eyes). Any other material throughout the paper is the opinion o f the individual writer or submitter and does not necessarily reflect the opinion o f the Portland Observer. 2nd Place Beat Editorial 3rd Place Community Laadarahip ONPA 1*76 National Advartiainp Rapraaantativa Amalgamated Publtaher». Inc Naw York tita U U r ta — ■ » < , M 'taaa. 'r’.Al.-A-a, 2. ¿as STdlRRS «a»rt> .***■■ .tf.a dwaa Let your mailman bring the Observer to your door.. . tlAAs 8* ''tu£arsa~jx'i.rtsa —— — 3rd Place Community Laadarahip ONPA 1*78 ■ i i i few»« ....¿£«¿1» ------- jAt ' M K • » ♦*» r ’22«ti--ikiUÍÍU” A T a w . J*, Editorial NNPA 1*73 1«a Subscribe Today - 17.80 Tri County; 88.00 Other N am e_________________________________________________ Address_______________________________________________ .State City ___________________ Z ip ------------------------------- PORTLAND OBSERVER P.O. Box 3137 Portland, OR. 17208 I » Determined unity brings change by Herb L. Cawlhorne Already, you can hear the faithless. We should take the Port land School Board to court over the unfair desegregation program, they say. The threat is being spoken about as though it’s a foregone conclusion. Before the Community Coalition fur School Integration submits its report, before the School Board had had a chance to act, some are ready to move immediately into a legal bat tle. The legal strategy has played a large role in the national struggle for better education for Black Americans. No doubt, it will even tually loom a large factor here in Portland. Nevertheless, the sugges tions of a legal suit now reflects more than a dreamy-eyed belief in the fairness o f the federal court. It reflects, more importantly, a lack of faith in the willingness o f the Port land Board o f Education to take positive action to insure an equatible desegregation program. Perhaps the legal card is being played too soon. Perhaps the card to play now is the one which will always be trump — that is, the willingness of the Black community to stand together and fight the political forces for change. The political road, as opposed to the legal, requires a determination to achieve change that is expressed in every element o f the community. A few relentless voices can file a legal suit; but it takes numerous people working together, defining the problems, applying pressure, and demanding solutions to bring about political change in education. Do we have the determination? Can we come together to forcefully present our wishes to the Board of Education? I f we continue to have some key Blacks employed by the School District who serve, albeit unwit tingly. as the errand boys o f the Divide and Conquer principle, the answer will be no. I f we continue to have a few Blacks in the school system who think our arguments are against them, rather than fo r our children, community efforts will be undercut and the board may fail to hear us. I f the religious leadership in the Black community continues to show a disinterest in this struggle, it will be hard to mount the kind of political support required to demonstrate our determination. I f the Urban League and the N A A C P do not come forward with strong statements and a readiness for action, the job o f convincing the School District wiU be extremely dif ficult. I f Black parents will not speak out, the hope dims. I f they simply dismiss the present inequitable situation because our people are ac customed to carrying an extra load, then we may not be able to count on the mother who, for example, has her children sent to four different schools and cannot possibly be an involved parent. Without her voice, the argument is not as strong. The talk about a legal court battle, before recommendations have been submitted to the School Board, may indicate that many people do not believe we have a trump card. They do not believe in the determination within this community. And, perhaps, they are right. But, on the other hand, perhaps they are wrong. I f the elements of this community can stand together, pointing to the facts and offering a vision for change, then maybe more will have the patience to allow the political process to take its course, thus post poning a legal challenge until a later date. If the members of the Com munity Coalition for School In tegration and School District per sonnel get on common ground, which they can do, then progress is right around the corner. I f the ministerial leadership com municates with parents, at the same* time as the Urban League joins with the N A A C P , then the work of those who have been fighting in the trench es will be productive. Admittedly, I have mentioned only a few of the many elements which must come together and present a united voice to the Board o f Education. Nonetheless, you get the picture. The question needs an answer. W ill this community have the deter mination to achieve an equatible change in desegregation policies in Portland? There are many, many people who hope the answer is yes. Fluoridation: A preventative practice by N. Fungai Kumbula There arc now so many measures scheduled for the November 7th ballot that the voter can be pardoned for throwing up his/her hands in exasperation. Such slogans as “ No on 6 .” “ Yes on 11.“ “ No on 5 .” “ Yes on 6 ,” “ No on 11” have been bombarding us for so long a lot of people now utterly confused and thoroughly turned off. Add to that the number of candidates running in the various offices, each clamoring for your vote and the Portland voters have more than they can stand. With all that in mind, however, I would like you to take a closer look at one particular measure. I would like you to do that because, after you have done so, you will no doubt be as sold as I am. The measure in question is Ballot Measure #51, the measure designed to fluoridate Port land’s water system. The idea in fluoridating Portland's water is to cut back the ever spiral ing cost o f dental care. W ith in flation the way it is, you and I would agree that dental bills are no longer a joke. Fluoride is a compound which, when added to water, will cut tooth decay by up to 65% or more. It is present in water systems around the world in varying amounts. Where I grew up (in Zimbabwe), the level was one to two parts per million parts of water and I had never heard o f cavities except for what I read in the papers In some areas, however, Portland included, the water is free o f fluorides. Hence the higher incidence o f tooth decay (fuelled, of course, by the higher rate o f sugar consumption also) and the resultant dental bills. For some wealthy people, a visit to the dentist is no big deal but, for some o f us who live from hand to mouth, that all important visit can be postponed indefinitely. Result: kids grow up with badly damaged teeth or no teeth at all or spend the rest of their days nursing a pain that could have been prevented. about the addition o f chemicals to our water system, did you ever raise a fuss about the addition o f chlorine to the same water that you drink now? How much will fluoridation cost you? 26c per person per year. That’s right, 26c per person per Y E A R ! N ow , where else can you get a bargain like that and at the same time accrue such life long benefits? F lu o rid atio n w ill benefit all age groups but, will benefit children the most since they will live longer than some o f us older folks and also since their teeth are still in the formative stage. How about the iodine added to your salt? And your pasteurized m ilk? Besides, the amount o f fluoride to be added to the water, 1 pt per million, will be so insignificant you won’t notice it at all. For that amount to be harmful to humans, one would have to drink 100 gallons at a sitting and I doubt if there is anyone ready to try that. Fluoridation is endorsed by The American Dental Association, The Oregon Dental Society, The World H ealth O rganization, The Royal College o f Physicians (Britain) and a whole host o f o th e r . sim ilar organizations around the world. I f still in doubt ask your doctor, dentist or call 241-9311 for more details. Fluoridation will also benefit the economically disadvantaged more than their wealthier counterparts. In place o f fluoridated water, the latter group can afford to turn to such alternatives as fluoride mouth rinse, fluoride drops and fluoride tablets. To most o f us, these alternatives are so far out o f our league we do not even know they exist. And, besides, they are far less effective in combating tooth decay. Using flu oridated water, you fight tooth decay without even bothering to think about what you are doing. For those who are apprehensive Cynthia Hodge, a senior dental student at the University of Oregon H ealth Sciences Center says, “ Fluoridation has already proved it self beneficial in communities that have initiated it. It would eliminate the need to buy fluoride supplements and the beneficial effects would reach even those who were unaware o f or could not a ffo rd the sup plements.” I f not for you, for the children: think about them as you cast your vote November 7th. Give them a chance. Vote ‘ Yes’ on Ballot Measure #51. Daniels trial ends ia hung ¡ary (Continued from Page 1 Column 6) vendetta against the former Black Panther member who was paroled in December 1977 in New York State and who has repeatedly filed incident reports regarding b ru ta lity by patrolmen toward intoxicated in dividuals at the Hooper Center on Union Avenue. Now the office of the District A t torney must decide whether to again try this case or dismiss the charges. Daniels has spent approxim ately eighty days in jail to date and faces up to sixty more days o f in car ceration awaiting another trial if the authorities decide to try again. In any case, Daniels must go before a parole board here or in New York *.o determine if he must return to prison to complete a life sentence even though the trial resulted in a hung jury and “ reasonable doubt” in the minds of some jurors. M ean w h ile, as the authorities ponder their next move in the Daniels case, Portland radio station KBOO will continue its weekly inter views on Thursday, October 26th by telephone with the newly formed Prisoners Coalition, a non-violent group o f Rocky Butte inmates. Daniels is a member of this group. The program pinpoints the op pressive conditions existing at this facility through live interviews with members o f this coalition. The show “ As The World Turns,” hosted by N orm an Solom on, a recent arrestee at an anti-nuclear demonstration at the Trojan plant, continues to focus on the cruel and inhumane treatment o f prisoners of Rocky Butte. Deputy District Attor ney Sean O ’ H allo ran , at the last possible moment in the Daniels trial, attem pted to subpoena K B O O ’s tapes o f previous broadcasts even though the prosecution would be unable to use them in the trial. This harassing effort was aborted when Judge Ceniceros denied the right of the District Attorney’s office to the tapes. The KBOO interviews are an at tempt to bring to the attention o f the public and o ffic ia ls various distressing situations at Rocky Butte. Various Prisoner Coalition charges are: By Mario Cabrera . . . “ a lack of integrity” by corrections officials who call prisoners “ clowns, monkeys and worse” and then place them in “ the hole** if this treatment is questioned. Prisoners sent to the “ hole” are denied access to the forms officials fill out detailing charges. Phone service to the outside was in terrupted for several days and sanitation conditions “ are depljorable.“ No s ta ff member speaks Spanish and some prisoners can’ t speak English’ * or read the rules manual which is printed in English only “ with these individuals singled out for the ’hole’ because o f misunderstandings. * ’ By K arl W ardm an . . . “ no medical treatment” was given to him for “ thirty days for a broken hand” and “ dental care is once or twice a week” while inmates are in pain. By James Daniels . . . “ lack o f good food and the small portions” and “ the plexiglass partition placed on the door o f the ‘hole’ which is only removed for air to enter.” Ad- (Piease turn to Pfttc 5 col. 3) . x
